What law school best prepares students to pass the bar exam?

Andrew Jaynes

Assistant Dean for Law Students

Andrew Jaynes is the assistant dean for law students at ASU Law, where he oversees the JD student experience from orientation through career placement while leading student services, career services and the online JD program. His work also focuses on the role of artificial intelligence in legal education.

One of the most common questions I hear from prospective law students is straightforward: Which law school will best prepare me to pass the bar exam?

The latest results provide a clear answer in Arizona and the Southwest.

According to the 2026 American Bar Association bar passage reports, the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University ranks No. 8 in the nation for first-time bar passage differential, posting a 13.71 percentage point margin above statewide averages. On that metric, ASU Law outperformed several highly ranked law schools, including Yale, Michigan, Georgetown, UCLA, Vanderbilt and Iowa.

ASU Law graduates also achieved a 91.94% first-time bar passage rate in 2025, continuing a strong upward trend from 87.54% the previous year and 86.55% the year before that. The result ranks No. 40nationally and places ASU Law ahead of several prominent institutions, including Northwestern, UC-Irvine, WashU, George Washington and Emory.

It also exceeds the 84.10% national first-time bar passage rate, outperforming the national benchmark by a gain of more than three times the national increase.

As Assistant Dean for Law Students, I work closely with our JD students across academic advising, student services, career development and student engagement. From that vantage point, one thing is clear: bar success is not something that happens in the final months after graduation. It reflects the environment and support that students experience throughout law school.

What is a good bar passage rate for a law school?

A strong law school bar passage rate generally exceeds 85% for first-time test takers. First-time passage rates indicate that students are developing the legal reasoning, writing and analytical skills required to succeed on the bar exam.

At 91.94%, ASU Law’s first-time pass rate significantly exceeds both national benchmarks and the typical range for strong law school outcomes.
 

How do law schools prepare students for the bar exam?

The strongest bar preparation begins during law school. Effective programs integrate bar-tested coursework, legal writing, for which ASU Law is ranked the no. 3 best Legal Writing program in the nation, and analytical reasoning with structured academic support and bar success advising.

At ASU Law, preparation for licensure is supported across the student experience. Students receive guidance on course selection, professional development and licensing milestones through advising, career services and the school’s Bar Exam Success program.

Just as important, they benefit from a collaborative learning environment that emphasizes mentorship, engagement and individualized support.

How long should you study for the bar exam?

Most graduates spend about eight to ten weeks studying for the bar exam after law school. However, the most effective preparation begins during law school as students develop the legal reasoning, writing and analytical skills tested on the exam while also gaining familiarity and confidence with the types of questions and practical lawyering tasks they will encounter on the exam.

By the time ASU Law students begin dedicated bar study after graduation, they have already spent three years building the foundation needed to succeed.

Why does ASU Law outperform many law schools in bar passage?

Bar results reflect more than academic rigor. They reflect a law school’s commitment to supporting students throughout their legal education.

At ASU Law, our 91.94% first-time bar passage rate and top-10 national ranking for bar passage differential demonstrate what happens when rigorous academics are paired with intentional preparation and student support.

For those of us who work closely with students every day, the goal is simple: ensure every graduate leaves ASU Law prepared to pass the bar exam and begin a successful legal career.